Tips on Getting Ahead
I’m currently spending this incredible Sunday in Aspen, Colorado skiing! Skiing, the snow, and the cold fills my body with bliss. The cold wind against my cheeks creates a glowing smile on my face. I will do anything and everything to go skiing and this year that means skipping a week of school. To me, life is about so much more than a monotonous routine of work. If you know me, you know I love to work. In fact, I currently have four jobs (lol wish me luck). However, I also love to have fun. Balance and moderation apply to our daily life too. Balance for me means working super hard so that I can fully take time off. I put full focus into my work and responsibilities and then I set aside me time where I can focus on relaxation and having a good time. In this weeks post I want to share tricks on preparing to leave and how to get your work done. This also applies even if you aren’t going anywhere, but want to get ahead.
One of the most important things is preparation and planning. Around a week in advance start thinking of your week ahead and the days you will be missing. You can also do the same thing if you have a really busy day in the week and want to get your work done before that. For instance, I know that on Wednesday’s I don’t get home until late because I work and then go to yoga. Knowing this, if I have a test Thursday, I will try to do the majority of my studying before Wednesday and just brush up the day before. I use my agenda and my notes app to help me organize everything. This is especially helpful if you have to juggle what you are doing one week with what is happening the next week. I will then make multiple pages of notes. For example, one note for this week, all my activities, homework, and tests and one note for what I will be missing next week. For what I will be missing, I try to think of what I can do before I leave, what I will have to makeup, and what I’m going to have to do during my absence. I know that for many people, you will not know all the work you are missing. Some teachers plan ahead and others tell you each day. This is why it is important to get ahead in the subjects that you already know that you will be missing. However, getting ahead too much can make you confused and overwhelmed. You have to find a middle-ground and you have to know yourself. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed like I did, slow down. Take some breaths and reevaluate. I was trying to get ahead way too much. Instead, I made a plan. I scheduled as many of my meetings during this past week so I wouldn’t have as many while I’m gone. I tried to check as many things off my to-do list as I could.
I visualized the week I would be missing. What would I be doing in each of my classes? I think it’s good to prepare yourself for what you are missing and what you will have to makeup. For some of my classes, I will be missing lessons. In this case, you need to take initiative. Either go into your teacher before or after school and have them explain the lessons to you, or teach it to yourself through videos, examples, etc. I honestly learn well from teaching myself so I will typically find videos online and check my work with the answers. If I have questions I reach out to friends and have them explain it or go to my teacher when I get back. Your peers are great resources for when you are gone. Ask questions! Don’t be afraid to reach out.
Make use of your time! Both before you leave and during make diligent and thoughtful use of your time. Be meaningful in your actions and dedicate time to work and play. When you are trying to get things done, be focused. When you are relaxing or having fun, don’t be thinking of the work you have to do. Keep them separate. If all you think about while you work is wanting to play and all you think about while playing is work, you are never living in the present and never fully enjoying your time. Making use of your time is also really important when trying to get ahead for the week even if you aren’t going anywhere. For example, when I am in school I really focus and work hard so that when I get home I can have more time to do other things.
You have to prioritize getting ahead and getting your work done. You may have a little less time to watch TV or workout, but it in the long run it will all be worth it. Procrastination is going to make coming back so much harder. Do little bits and pieces as time goes by.
Even if you have gotten ahead, you are still probably going to need to do work while you are gone. I just finished a fantastic ski day, went in the hot tub, and enjoyed myself, but right now I need to get this post up and do a little college work. Once that work is done, I will put my computer away for the night and not let work enter my mind. Overall, you can’t completely drop your responsibilities. You have to cover all your bases and be prepared to do a few things you don’t necessarily feel like doing. However, this is in exchange for a fabulous time off.